Daintree Wanderer

Tour Details

Operator

Australian Wild Escapes

Destination

Daintree

Departs From

Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Trinity Beach

Tour Description

Departing your accommodation we travel through the rich farming areas toward the World Heritage Listed forest region of the Daintree National Park. We step aboard our own personalised craft for a cruise on the mirrored smooth waters of the Daintree River. We cruise close to riverbanks and under the overhead canopy of the rainforest seeking out the vivid Ulysses Butterfly, Kingfishers and various other wildlife. The cruise takes us through silent backwaters where crocodiles can normally be seen basking on the muddy banks.

Arriving on the northern side of the river we now enter the Daintree section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage protected rainforest. Our journey takes up the beautiful Alexandra Range passing through rainforest and on to our first stop for home style morning tea deep in the rainforest at the Jindalba boardwalk. Jindalba (the aboriginal name for this place) is also where we literally immerse you inside our protected forests and take you on a guided walk where we view plants of ancient linage right through to examples of our more recent (relatively speaking of course) species of flowering plants. The sounds of various birdlife sing along as we stroll. You may even hear the Wompoo fruit doves with their distinctive "Womp pooooo" call. To tease you more, there is the possibility of seeing the elusive and brightly coloured Southern Cassowary (A primitive and sadly, endangered species of flightless bird, standing up to an impressive (1.8m/5ft high). Fallen fruit and fruit on low branches is the mainstay of its diet.

Continuing along we then stop at the magical Thornton Beach. Here our guides will highlight the amazing wildlife and ecosystems unique to this part of the world – “where the rainforest meets the sea”. Usually we are one the only people on this stretch of wilderness beach if not the only people. Many who have travelled remark how they feel like Robinson Cruso. This is also where Cooper Creek, that has started its life on Thornton's Peak, passing through forest which scientists refer to as an ancient "refugium" (dating back around 120 millions years) and finally meeting up with the Coral Sea.

Lunch is a special treat today, deep under the Rainforest canopy. We enjoy a delicious lunch of tropical rainforest-inspired local produce. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy quality food, whilst bathed in the serenity of the Tropical Rainforests. We have the chance for a private rainforest walk here as well, and may possibly spot rainforest lizards, birds, butterflies and perhaps even marsupials! This is also your opportunity to immerse yourself in the fresh, clear, rainforest creek. Surely this is a once in a lifetime experience.

After lunch we get to see unusual, exotic fruit originating from all over the globe's tropical regions. Along with the fruit trees the orchid is also a host to beautiful species of tropical flowering plants, both native and introduced. The sole purpose for the fruit grown at this orchard is to make pure, fresh, ice cream which is made on the property and sold no where else on the globe. For all those ice cream lovers this is your chance to add to your list of flavours (optional extra)

Our last stop and final lasting impression will be at the outstanding panoramic picture postcard view at Alexandra Range Lookout. From here you'll have a spectacular view of the mouth of the Daintree River, Snapper Island and on a clear day Port Douglas.

One final treat for the day is the crossing on the Daintree River Ferry – the iconic vehicle punt which transfers you out of the world heritage rainforest and on to your home-ward road. You will be back at your accommodation early in the evening.


Please note during wet season the itinerary may change due to higher water levels